Moving heavy equipment presents unique engineering challenges because of the specialized knowledge, specialized equipment, and planning involved whether it is relocating construction equipment to a new site, shipping manufacturing machinery to another facility, or moving mining equipment great distances.
Engineers must review weight distribution, routes, safety plans and how to protect the equipment.
By knowing the transportation options available, project managers and engineers will be able to make decisions that will relocate equipment in a safe manner (for people and equipment), efficient manner and cost-effective manner.
1. Flatbed and Lowboy Trailer Transport
Heavy machinery is transported in many ways, but the most common method is to use specialized trailers designed to carry very heavy loads that are also oversized.
Flatbed trailers work for most small-sized equipment, while lowboy trailers allow taller machinery to be towed without violating height restrictions on public roads.
Lowboy trailers are designed to be lower to the ground, which also provides additional clearance for tall equipment but reduces the overall height of the load. The lowboy trailer design provides stability for transporting tall equipment.
Lowboy trailers can typically carry loads weighing 40,000 to over 150,000 pounds, depending on how the trailer is defined and their axle arrangement.
When transporting equipment on trailers, engineers need to be careful when loading machinery. They carefully consider each placement to ensure weight limitations for the trailer axles are not violated so that the machinery is stable when loaded on the trailer.
Engineers may decide to use cranes or hydraulic equipment to position the machinery accurately on the trailer bed.
Route planning becomes even more critical than with other means of transporting heavy equipment. Engineers will need to identify the public roads that can bear the combined weight of the machinery and trailer. Engineers also need to consider bridge weight limitations, possible overhead clearances along the entire delivery route, and curve turning radius.
Additionally, many jurisdictions require specialized permits to load overweight and oversized equipment or machinery for transport.
2. Railroad Transportation for Long-Distance Moves
Rail transport can be an effective means of transporting heavy equipment over long distances, especially when transporting multiple pieces of equipment at once.
The design of railroad cars for heavy equipment transport allows the transport of weight(s) that would be impractical – or impossible – on public roads.
Flatcars and dedicated heavy-duty cars can transport machines weighing several hundred thousand pounds out of the elements and at speeds approaching what you can expect in other transport modes. In most cases, you can minimize the possibility of damage due to the stability of rail transport.
The loading and unloading of heavy machines from rail cars requires careful coordination with railroad facilities that have the appropriate lifting devices.
Engineers will need to establish that their destination facility can receive rail-delivered equipment and accommodate the unloading operational requirements.
Rail transport reduces the wear-and-tear on public infrastructure compared with heavy truck transport. Rail transport also has environmental advantages due to the limited heavy-truck traffic on highways, in addition to being a low-cost option for bulk machinery movements.
3. Barge and Maritime Transport
When heavy equipment has to cross large water bodies or coastal access is available, barge transportation is a good option for very heavy shipments. Barges can carry weights that would be impossible via all other means, making barge transport is important in moving the heaviest industrial items.
Maritime transport is preferred for near water international shipments of machinery or shipments of all sizes along inland waterways. Container ships and specialized cargo vessels can accommodate shipped machinery.
The container and vessel design can determine if completed machinery or disassembled machinery can be accommodated.
The load and unload procedures for barge transport entail port facility requirements for portals able to perform heavy lift with competent grueling.
Engineers must communicate with port to determine allowable port plans and ensure the points are available on the machinery being transported.
Maritime transport is affected more by weather conditions then the means of transportation used bike, truck and rail. Rough seas can be dangerous for the machines and the transport area. When planning to barge transport, load securement and weather protection is need to be planned for.
4. Specialized Heavy Equipment Transport Services
Heavy equipment transport services provide full-service options that take care of all elements of the relocation of machinery. Heavy equipment transport companies have the experience, vehicles, and permits and know-how to move very complicated, often challenging industrial equipment.
Organizations that heavy equipment transport by A1 Auto have fleets of specialized trailers, pre-obtained permits, heavy equipment insurance coverage, and seasoned operators who know how to move heavy loads.
This knowledge can be useful for complex moves involving accommodating and coordinating a number of pieces of heavy equipment with complicated logistics.
Heavy equipment transport services provide comprehensive surveys of routes, acquiring permits, coordinating escort vehicles, and heavy equipment insurance coverage.
A full-service approach to heavy equipment transport reduces the burden on engineering teams and ensures that all applicable regulations are considered and taken into account.
Professional heavy equipment transport organizations also have contacts and relations with any specialized loading/unloading facilities, crane operators and other supporting services that remove machinery from Door 1 and deliver it to Door 2. This established network of services can help the efficiency and ease of complex relocation projects.
5. Modular Disassembly and Reassembly Transport
To transport large or complicated pieces of equipment for which shipping complete units is not practicable, engineers employ a method called modular disassembly and reassembly.
This could also include transporting the equipment on specially designed carriers (which could have some special dimensions as well), but the engineers are using the documented methodology of modular disassembly and reassembly, modular disassembly being disassembling the equipment into transportable pieces; transporting those pieces separately, and then reassembling the equipment at the destination.
Because of the staged modular process, documentation of the modular disassembly and the labeling of parts or modules is necessary to ensure correct reassembly.
Engineers developed process plans for disassembly of the equipment which document key locations for connections, tools and methods that are used, and the sequential order in which to reconfigure the equipment to make it operational again.
Packaging and protecting the equipment parts is also critical in modular transport schemes. The parts must be secured in a manner not only to prevent loss of equipment but also to protect warranty and the ability for the parts to not degrade during transit or use.
This often requires custom-crating, or custom protection of the parts for specific equipment pieces.
This reassembly stage requires knowledgeable shop technicians who are more familiar with the specific equipment being disassembled and reassembled.
At this point the assembly stage to reassemble the equipment could also include calibration, inspect, and commission the equipment for performance to meet the original specifications.
Planning Considerations for Heavy Machinery Transport
Thorough planning is key to successful heavy machinery transportation and needs to be initiated well in advance of the move.
All relevant factors must be considered by the engineer including equipment specifications, requirements at the destination, possible constraints due to the route, and regulatory compliance issues.
Knowledge of the equipment is important for transportation method selection (e.g., various types of construction equipment and specialized manufacturing machinery all have different challenges).
The planning timeline should include permit processing and timing, surveying the route, preparing the equipment, and delays due to weather or regulatory issues.
Animals often use less than the transport construction project timelines, therefore, rush moves are often costly and risky increases. Early planning will reduce the risk of cost escalation in a project.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
It is completely safe as it clearly says. Heavy equipment transportation is a very regulated industry aimed at protecting the equipment and protecting public safety.
Engineers must ensure that they comply with federal Department of Transportation regulations, state and local permitting, and safety requirements of the industry.
Safety planning includes all of the required load securement and packaging, requirements for escort vehicles, staging of warning signs, and communication requirements.
For oversized movements many jurisdictions require pilot cars, and some movements will require police escorts to shut down roads or control traffic.
Perspective on the insurance could be even more important for high value machinery transport. Full comprehensive insurance coverage should include protection against damage in loading, transport, and unloading operations along with third party liability protection for any claims made by others involved in the movement.
Technology Integration in Heavy Transport
Modern day heavy machinery transport has integrated technologies and resources for increased safety and efficiency.
Real-time GPS tracking provides details on the location of the equipment and the progress of the load. Sensors can monitor load stability and weather-related conditions during the transport process.
Route optimization software provides information that allows engineers to determine the best routes for transporting heavy equipment, while making the effort to avoid obstacles such as low bridges, weight-restricted roads, or roads with overhead power lines.
Route optimization uses technology to identify solutions and reduces workload and time, while adding to the planning, safety, and efficiency of the route.
Lastly, communication systems ensure ongoing contact between the transport operator and escort vehicles throughout the relocation process. Communication is imperative for handling any issues that may arise during the heavy machinery transport.
Cost Optimization Strategies
Transportation costs for heavy equipment can vary quite a bit depending on transport method, distance, details of the equipment, and time of year.
Engineers can save on transportation costs by considering all options for transport and uses the most appropriate transport method.
There may be savings available when looking at economies of scale for moving more than one piece of equipment, especially related to rail or barge transport.
Scheduling to minimize the number of individual equipment moves and considering non-peak travel may also provide cost savings and minimizes conflicts with other construction timelines.
Lastly, in many situations, the cost of employing a reputable, professional transportation provider can actually result in better results even at a higher price, since the professional service can save contractors from the possible lost time, damage, or regulatory issues that can happen quickly enough to cost as much or more than the cost of clicking on the cheaper alternative.
Future Trends in Heavy Equipment Transport
The heavy machinery transport sector continues to evolve as technology improves, regulations change and environmental impact are taken into consideration.
For certain applications, autonomous transport systems are beginning to emerge. Electric and hybrid transport vehicles are proving to be more viable with shorter distance heavy equipment moves.
In addition, new planning software and real time monitoring systems are increasing efficiency and are making heavy equipment transport more predictable. These advances help engineers be able to plan complex moves better while decreasing the risks and costs of heavy machinery moves.
Environmental regulations are forcing changes in transport methodology as there becomes increased focus on emissions and minimizing environmental impact in heavy equipment moves.
This focus on environmental impact has driven innovation in transport efficiency and alternative fuel sources for heavy transport vehicles.
By understanding the five main methods of transporting heavy machinery, engineers will be able to best determine decisions that make for safe, accurate, and economical moves of equipment.
Whether trailer transport of heavy machinery for local moves, or maritime options for global shipping, applicable planning and selection of methodology is paramount to the success of heavy machinery transport jobs.